Filtering face mask that has a resilient seal surface in its exhalation valve

Abstract

A filtering face mask 10 that has a mask body and a new exhalation valve 14. The mask body is adapted to fit at least over the nose and mouth of a person to help define an interior gas space when the mask is worn. The exhalation valve 14 permits fluid communication between the interior gas space and an exterior gas space. The exhalation valve 14 has a valve seat 20 and a flap 22. The valve seat 20 includes a resilient seal surface 24 and an orifice 30 through which exhaled air may pass to leave the interior gas space. The flap 22 is mounted to the valve seat 20 such that the flap 22 makes contact with the resilient seal surface 24 when the valve is in its closed position and such that the flap 22 can move away from the seal surface 24 in response to an exhalation to allow exhaled air to pass through the orifice 30 to ultimately enter the exterior gas space. A filtering face mask that utilizes an exhalation valve that has a resilient seal surface can enable the valve to open under substantially less pressure, which, in turn, may improve wearer comfort.

Description

[0001]The present invention pertains to a filtering face mask that utilizes a new exhalation fluid valve to purge exhaled air from the mask interior. The valve has a resilient material on its valve seat to allow the valve flap to make good contact with the seal surface when the valve is in its closed position. The valve is particularly suitable for use on a filtering face mask because it can provide a good seal when closed and can also contribute to the rapid displacement of exhaled air from the mask interior during an exhalation.BACKGROUND[0002]Persons who work in polluted environments commonly wear filtering face masks to protect themselves from inhaling airborne contaminants. Filtering face masks typically have a fibrous or sorbent filter that is capable of removing particulate and / or gaseous contaminants from the air. When wearing a face mask in a contaminated environment, wearers are generally comforted with the knowledge that their health is being protected, but they are, howe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The filtering face mask of the present invention differs from known respiratory masks by providing its exhalation valve with a resilient seal surface onto which the valve flap makes contact when a wearer is neither inhaling nor exhaling. Use of the resilient seal surface on the valve seat of the exhalation valve can enable a more rigid, yet thinner flap to be employed in the valve. Use of such a flap can allow the valve to open under substantially less force or pressure. And since the force that is required to open the valve is generated by the wearer's breathing, the wearer does not need to breathe as hard to operate the valve. Less work is therefore needed to operate the valve when the mask is been worn. Consequently, use of a resilient seal surface can be beneficial to a wearer of a filtering face mask in that it can make the mask more comfortable to wear, particularly when it is being worn for extended time periods. When comfort is improved, there is less likelihood that the wearer will displace mask from their face in a contaminated environment. Filtering face masks of the present invention may accordingly improve wearer safety.GLOSSARY

Problems solved by technology

When wearing a face mask in a contaminated environment, wearers are generally comforted with the knowledge that their health is being protected, but they are, however, contemporaneously discomforted by the warm, moist, exhaled air that accumulates around their face.

The greater this facial discomfort is, the greater the chances are that wearers may temporarily remove the mask from their face to alleviate the unpleasant condition.

Although known exhalation valve products have been successful at improving wearer comfort by encouraging exhaled air to leave the mask interior more easily, none of the known valve products have used a resilient seal surface on the valve seat, which, as described below, may provide further benefits towards improving valve performance and hence wearer comfort.

Images